Jagger and Scott arrive at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in March 2006 in West Hollywood, Calif. / Evan Agostini, Getty Images

by Elysa Gardner, USA TODAY

by Elysa Gardner, USA TODAY

Mick Jagger has broken his silence regarding the death of his girlfriend, fashion designer L'Wren Scott, seemingly by her own hand.

The Rolling Stones frontman released the following statement Tuesday on his Facebook page:

"I am still struggling to understand how my lover and best friend could end her life in this tragic way.

"We spent many wonderful years together and had made a great life for ourselves.

"She had great presence and her talent was much admired, not least by me.

"I have been touched by the tributes that people have paid to her, and also the personal messages of support that I have received."

The statement concludes, "I will never forget her, Mick," and also appears on his website. The couple had been together for more than a decade.

It was announced later Tuesday that the Stones would postpone the rest of their tour of Australia and New Zealand "as a result of the death of L'Wren Scott."

"Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood wish to thank all of their fans for their support at this difficult time and hope that they will fully understand the reason for this announcement," the statement continued, adding that the group would reschedule the performances at a later date.

Despite a coterie of A-list clientele - Nicole Kidman, Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama - and a recent collaboration with Banana Republic no doubt intended to broaden her customer base, Scott's London-based business was deeply in debt, reports the Associated Press. By the end of 2012, her company, LS Fashion Ltd., was in the red to the tune of $5.9 million.

Last month, Scott canceled her London fashion show, citing "production delays in key show and couture pieces," according to Women's Wear Daily.

Tributes were paid to the design luminary in the highest echelons of the fashion world.

Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour lionized her on the magazine's website Monday evening. "L'Wren was a total perfectionist, someone who absolutely embodied everything her marvelous clothes stood for: strength of character combined with a confident and powerful style," she wrote. "In person, L'Wren was always unbelievably generous, gracious, kind, and so much fun. Her old world American manners and charm were from another time, but her sensibility was always fiercely modern. We will all miss her."

One of her oldest fashion friends, model Naomi Campbell, took to WhoSay to post a tribute: "L'Wren was someone I knew since I was 17. We travelled the world together many times. L'Wren was someone I always loved. She was the epitome of elegance and femininity yet still had a girlish quality. I will miss her honesty and I will miss her friendship. My heart goes out to Mick and all who loved her and were loved by her. 'May she Rest in Peace.' "